Hi Kymi - I enrolled my dog Mya in an agility class. We've been going regularily for 5 months now. It's amazing to see how fast dogs learn the obstacles. What I'm finding is that humans are much more difficult to train! ;)
There are a ton of books out there but I would recommend a class. They already have the equipment and know a lot of little tricks that the books will not explain. It's not so much "dog language" but rather "human language" that you are taught to communicate. Your dog will catch on immediately to it.
Yes - a class will be more expensive initially, but the bond you build with your dog will inspire and amaze you.
We always have a ton of fun! Good luck!

Answered by Christina Skopliak on December 11, 2009 at 11:19am - report abuse

Hi Xtina, thanks for your answer. I have been doing agility for 3 years now and have been to several competitions. The last one, we came 3rd and got a price. I was just looking for a book, that gives me some more tipps on how best to lead and so on. I know, that it is almost always the dog handler that does not communicate the right signals to the dog. The dog will do, what we tell him, if we can make them understand the commands.
Keep enjoying this sport also in the future.
best wishes Kymi

Answered by Kymi on December 11, 2009 at 3:57pm - report abuse

Canine Body Language-A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff is a must have for body language. The best I've found so far. Can't think of a good agility book off the top of my head but I'd check out cleanrun.com Lots of good books and videos over there.

Answered by Jess Thovson on December 12, 2009 at 12:26am - report abuse

thanks a lot Jess, very useful information.
regards Kymi

Answered by Kymi on December 12, 2009 at 8:50am - report abuse

I would suggest Unleashing the Velcro Dog - Training Your Agility Dog to Love Working at a Distance by Jane Simmons-modake as well as How To Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication by Stanley Coren.

Answered by PawsForCause on December 12, 2009 at 2:44pm - report abuse

I would recimend HOW TO SPEAK DOG by Sarah Whitehead.

Answered by wolflover101 on January 7, 2010 at 8:33pm - report abuse

Brenda Aloff's book as mentioned above is great...also Roger Abrantes' Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior, and Turid Rugaas' Calming Signals.

Answered by josh on January 8, 2010 at 10:31am - report abuse